Mario just flat out needs help on the defensive line. I would like the Texans to get more defensive ends so they can play around with Mario more. I'd like to see Mario play more as a defensive tackle on passing downs if the Texans had enough pass rushing defensive ends. Cushing looked like a linebacker yesterday. He's only the second Texan ever in the Kubiak era to look like a linebacker for a full game (granted I missed a couple games last year that I heard Diles was good in) The Texans really need to add a third linebacker at some point to the defense, but I think they need two maybe three more starting defensive linemen first. It was nice to have Wilson back in the secondary. Secondary still needs work, but I think getting more pressure would help their confidence. They seemed to play better when the QB was pressured.
I think linebacker is one of the lowest on priority for the defense. What we need is better tackling overall. Tired of seeing the first guy being bumped off for more gain. The QB pressure has improved from last year, and we did just draft Barwin as DE..but didn't hear much from him yesterday
they need to upgrade safety, corner, and a DL period. one of each minimum. on offense then need OL upgrade and 1-2 additional receiver/play makers with a brain. 5 key reinforcements via draft and free agency and this team can become a top 4 contender. at most right now we are a wildcard contender.
I am more concerned with the big plays the Texans defense gave up yesterday, for three touchdowns. These big plays are likely the result of the Bush being more aggressive. Bush might have dial that back a bit or make other adjustments.
Id say two because the "Easiest Touchdown in NFL History" was just a blown assignment and even the 3rd and 19th from hell had alot to do with great blocking by the Titans. I hate to do this but I guess Ill do it... If you take away the three big plays by Johnson Texans give up 10 points. Only a few backs in the league are as fast as Johnson and I sure as hell hope the Texans never screw up as badly again by leaving a man WIDE OPEN FOR MILES. A few adjustments and will be OK, not great but ok, along with the fact that Jax who looks really bad and Oakland who has no Passing game while neither team is playing much D of there own should help us get to 3-1.
They're the result of: The DTs being so poor that they spread the D-Line out and put the LBs up in the gaps to help. The safeties being so atrocious that if the Titans (Johnson) broke past the front 7, it was game over. We saw this repeatedly last year with the safeties allowing big plays, we saw it in the preseason, we had it late against the Jets, and the Titans got a hat trick exploiting it. Our safeties (Eugene Wilson the only possible exception) are indefensibly bad and it's incredibly frustrating that Kubiak and the front office have neglected to address the issue (again, Wilson being the only possible exception) the last 2 if not 3 offseasons. It helps that DC Richard Smith is gone - he was hapless when it came to understanding secondary play. But our safeties still shy from contact, still routinely blow assignments, still get confused when lining up on the ball, still fail to maintain their basic responsibilities. Ferguson and Barber are pure, unadulterated garbage. Wilson and Busing are adequate but need to play next to someone much better than they are to get by. If we want to be a playoff team, this has to be addressed. If we continue to trot out this sad sack safety combo each week, we will continue to run a high risk of plays broken deep for 50+ yd TDs. The LBs have to play up and run blitz to cover for a weak D-Line. The safeties can't cover their backs when they do so. It's fundamentally doomed to fail. Evan
they're learning a new system (or approach) with several new players and a still relatively young defense overall. i'll think they'll get it together over the next 6 weeks. it's not going to be an elite defense; but i think it'll be good enough to keep them in playoff contention. if they can add a cushing-like motor to the secondary and find a pocket-collapsing DT, they could take big step next year. while i think there's merit to praising the team on every other play but those 3... you can't assume the titans wouldn't have scored anyway on what we'll call more traditional drives had the 3 big plays not occurred.
if you watch it again, his 90-yard run was right at connor barwin, who has to play smarter than that. he was blitzkrieg'ing the QB when everyone and their grandmother knew the titans were going to either run a screen or draw. his space was *wide* open. after that, johnson (give him credit) made a tremendous move and then its lights out. my god, that guy is fast.
...and that would have eaten more clock, which changes the game on many levels. That game just thrilled me yesterday. I didn't expect the Texans to be within two touchdowns, much less win it. Warts and all, I'm thrilled to be handed such a big plate of crow.
See and thats exactly why I hate to say if you take away this or take away that play because I agree that you can't assume they would have stopped them but I will say this in there defense, no pun intended, the first Johnson TD was on 3 and 19 so you stop him there and there punting, and 90+ yard run happened deep in there endzone and they had not yet proven they could move the ball consistently minus one drive so It can't be assumed they score either. Stop the Stupid Stupid plays and I really think we could be a middle of the pack D and with our O it could make December very fun.
they need a DT more than another DE. Also, why would you move mario inside on a passing down? you are taking away his best attribute, which is speed rushing. LBs are ok, imo. Cushings looks legit. I think Diles is a more than capable LB. The secondary needs a lot of work.
I said this yesterday, but with the exception of the 3 big plays in the Jet game and the 3 big plays in the Titan game, this defense has done pretty well. Like someone said earlier in this thread, perhaps Bush is being a bit too aggressive and needs to tone it down.
I'm not giving the D-Line a pass at all - Barwin has demonstrated that he's a one dimensional pass rusher, and the Tackles finish the game with grass-green uniforms. Their deficiencies force the LB unit to be front line --> too far up to contain when a guy like Johnson breaks out. Brice McCain and Fred Bennett are DOA if a wideout blocks them. And Barber's the last guy I want between an opposing player and the end zone. But those big plays are the difference between a good defense and a flawed one.
Completely agree. Just making the point that if these blown plays can be corrected, we may have something decent here. If the Texans were giving up 5+ yards consistently on every play and getting methodically pummeled up and down the field, I would be alot more concerned. That is not what we are seeing though.
I don't think speed rushing is his best attribute. Strength, agility, motor, and technique are his top attributes. I think he would rush almost as well on passing downs from the inside as he does from the outside. He is also able to hold the line if there is a draw. While this would hurt his sack numbers, if the Texans could bring in another rusher..it would help the team get better at pressuring the QB and at defending the screen. I do think DT is a bigger priority due to needing to stop the run to get into passing situations. It may be harder to get that DT though. I am starting to see why Kubiak tried to move around Mario as a rookie, but he wasn't ready for it. Mario is the best DE on the team right now. I think Mario is the best DT on the team right now as well. I think teams try to get as many plays away from Mario as they can. Having him line up anywhere on the line would negate a lot of game planning by the opponents.
I am just wondering what the def. is doing different on 3rd down. 1st and 2nd down they look pretty good and along comes 3rd down and all hell breaks loose. Granted they were good the 2nd half of yesterdays game, but the 3 halfs before that they were destroyed on 3rd down.
This thread has gone a good three hours without any talk about the disappointing Antonio Smith. I only ever see pressure from Mario, it might as well be Weaver on the other end like before.
